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Stepping Up in Williamson’s Absence: Pelicans Triumph Over Bulls 123-111

In a thrilling season opener, Brandon Ingram emerged as the star of the show, securing a 33-point tally and sealing the victory for the New Orleans Pelicans with a critical baseline turnaround jumper just 1:46 minutes before the final buzzer. Even without the presence of their ace, Zion Williamson, the Pelicans managed to overpower the Chicago Bulls in a 123-111 victory on Wednesday night.

Ingram and Murray’s Dominant Performance

Dejounte Murray, the newly inducted point guard for the Pelicans, made an impressive debut. He contributed 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds to the team’s victory, although he suffered a left hand injury in the final quarter. In the meantime, CJ McCollum also made his presence felt with a significant 23-point contribution for New Orleans.

Williamson’s Absence: A Setback for the Pelicans

Williamson, who was ruled out of the game due to illness, has missed 207 regular-season games since being selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2019. His absence was a significant blow to the Pelicans, but they managed to compensate and secure the win.

Bulls’ Key Players

Chicago’s offensive attack was led by Zach LaVine, who scored 27 points. Nikola Vucevic also had an impressive game with 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls. Despite their efforts, the Bulls lagged behind for the majority of the second half and trailed by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Promising Talent in Yves Missi

New Orleans might have found a new asset in their first-round pick, Yves Missi. The 7-footer was initially considered too unpolished to play significant minutes this season, but in Williamson’s absence, Missi was given 23 minutes on the court and proved his worth with 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. As he exited the court with 4:20 left, he was met with a standing ovation from the crowd.

Defining Moments and Statistics

Ingram’s third 3-pointer of the game extended the Pelicans lead to 107-92, marking a crucial 13-2 run during which Ingram scored eight points. The turning point of the game was significantly influenced by the Bulls’ 21 turnovers, which resulted in 30 points for the Pelicans. LaVine alone was responsible for seven turnovers.

Looking Ahead

The Bulls are set to visit Milwaukee on Friday, while the Pelicans will commence a four-game trip at Portland on the same day.